I'm making the move from Asia to Europe this year, I have 6 years experience in Japan, a non-teaching related BA and an EU passport. I'm determined not to start looking for work until I have my CELTA but looking at the Europe forums it seems everyone and his dog has a CELTA.
My ideal location is Spain but I'm not sure how it's gonna go with the job market there. Plus countries like Spain attract a lot of people and so increasing the job competition. I also heard Czech Republic has tons of TEFL centres which increase job competition there, although maybe that's mainly just true of Prague. I've not read much about competition for jobs in Poland so I was hoping that things are a little calmer there. Coming from the Asian market Europe seems like another world. I feel like I'll be starting from zero and it's a little daunting to be honest. Having also read a lot about European employers not valueing Asian experience very much.

You're right in assuming the CELTA is necessary as a standard. The good thing is that you'll be able to apply the 6 years experience you have to your newly gained CELTA.

Not valuing Asian experience really comes down to people doing internet course type qualifications - you'll have the CELTA, so there's no need to worry about that.

Job competition - If you go to a big city in Poland, you shouldn't have any difficulty finding work with the possible exception of Krakow, where there are lots of teachers and limited business market. There, you'll probably find work - just at a crappy school or for little money.

In cities like Warsaw, Wrocław,the tri-cities (Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia), business work can be found quite easily through schools throughout most of the year. If you want to teach classes, there are enough schools for you to find work as a CELTA qualified native, you'll just have to be there at the right time.

Coming from the Asian market Europe seems like another world. I feel like I'll be starting from zero and it's a little daunting to be honest. Having also read a lot about European employers not valueing Asian experience very much.

Most schools here only honor post-CELTA experience, so you're right about your Asian experience likely not counting for much.

You may find you have to 'unlearn' some old habits at CELTA and do things the Cambridge way.

I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding work in PL, but you will start at salary point 0, not that moving up the pay scale will be like from rags to riches.

Poles want experienced, qualified teachers but they are hardly ever willing to shell out for them!

I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding work in PL, but you will start at salary point 0, not that moving up the pay scale will be like from rags to riches.

Poles want experienced, qualified teachers but they are hardly ever willing to shell out for them!

If you ask me, the only logical move is either specialising in business classes or becoming a real teacher in a school rather than in a language school. There is a scary amount of money involved in kindergarten teaching...